"He's worked very hard at being a good football player and he's just a fine young man to coach."

Valley View center Anthony Mengoni was the runner-up for the offensive honor, while Lakeland tackle Cody Delfino was the runner-up for the defensive award.

But for only the third time in the history of the award, the same player took home both, putting Boland in elite company.

Dunmore's Tim Ruddy did it in 1989, while West Scranton's Hubie Graham did it in 2007.

"Mike's intensity level was a big factor in making him a better football player," Henzes said. "He had an ankle injury as a sophomore and didn't play. But he played the last two seasons with passion and was very persistent and an intelligent player."

As a powerful blocker who could also run, Boland helped Dunmore reach the PIAA Class A championship game with a powerful running attack that featured Daiqwon Buckley and Austin Seamon, who both earned more than 1,000 yards.

Defensively, his speed and tenacity were a difficult matchup in the Lackawanna Football Conference and in the state playoffs. He had 67 tackles, 14 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.

"This is a testament to his work and the work of the entire line," Dunmore line coach Jeff Mills said. "It's a great honor for him, our team and our school and really shows how hard the kids work."

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